Your fingernails and toenails serve an important function and can be a reflection of the overall health and wellness of your body. Although most nail problems are minor, some signs such as nail thickness, horizontal white lines or concave nails may be symptomatic of disease. Fortunately, most nail-related problems can be easily prevented or treated by taking proper care of your nails.
Identification
Nails are comprised of keratin protein cells that begin in the half-moon area, called the matrix, where they grow and mature until they're pushed forward and form a new nail. Men's nails grow faster than women's and all nails grow faster in summer than winter. On average, fingernails grow two to three millimeters in one month, and toenails grow one millimeter per month, unless slowed by aging, hormone imbalances and disease, according to the American Association of Dermatology.
Causes
Many nail abnormalities are caused by aging, which slows nail growth and can lead to yellow, dull and brittle nails. Environmental factors such as exposure to chemicals, polish or harsh detergents may also cause nail problems, as can nutritional deficiencies, injury, trauma or biting your nails. Ingrown toenails are often caused by improperly trimmed nails, a fungus, heredity or an ill-fitting shoe.
Considerations
Doctors may check your nails to help them detect certain medical conditions. Liver disease can create nails that are white in appearance; kidney disease can make your nails half pink and half white; heart disease may lead to red nail beds; lung disease often causes yellowing and thickening of the nail or a slowed growth rate; anemia creates pale nail beds; and diabetes can present as yellowish nails with a slight blush at the base.
Types
Brittle nails are a consequence of aging when the moisture and natural oils in the nail bed decline. White spots on your mails can be caused by a mild trauma like catching your finger in a door, whereas a reddish-brown thin vertical line that looks like a splinter beneath your nail can occur when blood vessels in the nail bed are damaged. Redness, swelling, and pain of the skin folds around the nails often indicate an infection caused by bacteria or psoriasis. Fungal infections, which can cause discoloration and abnormal growth in your nails, are the most common nail complaint, affecting up to 12 percent of all Americans, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. If you notice a dark spot or streak under any nail that's not the result of an injury, it could be melanoma, the most lethal form of skin cancer.
Prevention
To avoid potential nail problems, keep your nails clean and dry. Trim them regularly and cut them straight across with slight rounding at the tips for maximum strength. Avoid biting your nails, removing the cuticle, digging out ingrown nails or wearing uncomfortable shoes. If your toenails are hard to trim, first soak your feet in warm salt water for five to 10 minutes and then apply urea or a lactic acid cream. You should also eat a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables that are high in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and consider supplements such as biosil, vitamin E, biotin, iron, zinc and l-cysteine.
Solution
In severe and persistent cases of nail fungus, your doctor may prescribe Lamisil or Sporanox, and any bacterial infections will require antibiotics. Nail psoriasis can be treated with topical medications such as Calcipotriol. Serious ingrown toenails that don't resolve on their own may require surgery.
Warning
According to the Mayo Clinic and the American Academy of Dermatology signs of potentially serious disease that requires medical attention include a change in the color or shape of a nail; swollen skin or pain around a nail; a white or black line visible in a nail; dents or ridges; separation of your nail from the nail bed; nail pitting; opaque or white nails; or curled nails.
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